Dialogue on Child In Home of Relative (CHIR) Screening Proposal: May, 2007

We facilitated a multi-party dialogue that included representatives from various Aboriginal agencies, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the Provincial Ministries of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA) and Children and Family Development (MCFD). They met to consider proposed changes to the CIHR Program that introduced screening by MCFD of all adults residing in the home of the relative caregiver.

Participants identified five concern areas related to the screening process. They developed specific challenges and solutions in these areas and indicated those challenges that required immediate action and those requiring further work. Participants also mapped out suggestions for a way forward that could deal with the issues raised and formed a working group to investigate the most appropriate next steps.

"This initiative was uncharted territory for all participants and required open and honest communication between both levels of government and First Nations communities.  Thank you for your expert facilitation in making this possible. Your vigilance and sensitivity to the needs of all participants and your flexibility in adjusting agendas and plans to be responsive to those needs as they emerged were invaluable. With your assistance, we were able to identify issues and potential implications for First Nations people and how to work collaboratively to address them."

Mariann Burka, Executive Director, Social Policy Branch